U16A’s get off to a winning start

The Dublin U16A team got their Leinster championship campaign off to a winning start with a hard fought win against a strong Kilkenny team on Sunday 19 March in O'Toole Park.

In difficult weather conditions both teams served up an excellent display of camogie which would do justice to any inter country senior match. Dublin playing against the strong wind & rain were first to score with a brace of points from Kim Hickey, Kilkenny responded with two points from placed balls before Dublin extended their lead with points from Laura Quinn and Hollyn Kennedy. The level of commitment shown by both teams was of the highest standard, every ball was fiercely contested with no quarter asked or given. Kilkenny pulled a point back before Olivia Meagher rattled home a goal for Dublin but from the puck-out Kilkenny moved the ball up the field and scored a goal of their own.

Then as the games inched to halftime the strong wind started to ease and the sun appeared for the first time in the day, Dublin scored four points – two apiece by Quinn and Kennedy to a point by Kilkenny.

As the teams headed for the changing rooms at half time Dublin had a 1:08 to 1:04 lead. The 2nd half continued at the same frantic pace as the first half with Dublin quickly getting on the score board with a goal by Hickey and a brace of points from Quinn.

Kilkenny immediately responded with a goal before Gaby Couch hit over a point for the girls in blue.

The intensely of the game was now at boiling point when Kilkenny scored a point however Dublin responded with a point from Aoife Mahon.

Kilkenny then scored a goal and two points from placed balls to rise the intensely level even higher.

With 3 point between the teams the supporters were on the edge of their seats with excitement as the game entered the final few minutes - Kilkenny were pressing hard for a goal and Dublin were looking for that insurance score but both sets of backs were putting their bodies on the line as they defended bravely. At the final whistle the Dublin girls were delighted as they had secured a 2:12 to 3:06 victory over a strong Kilkenny team who we will hear more about as the year goes on. Credit to both team on an outstanding display of Camogie.

Dublin Team:

Ali Ramsden, Aoife Byrne, Hannah Leddy, Siofra Byrne, Jody Couch, Molly Brown, Celine Atancio, Aoife Mahon (0:1), Niamh Gannon (Capt.), Laura Quinn (0:5), Hollyn Kennedy (0:3), Gaby Couch (0:1), Olivia Meagher (1:0), Kim Hickey (1:2) Anna Geraghty, Georgia Plowman, Katie McDonald, Caitlin Coffey, Rachel Seery, Siun Keating